Scott BiggarIt is all about attitude this year at Lebanon Valley. Well, actually trying to change an attitude to be specific. It is no secret that the Flying Dutchmen have struggled since joining the ECAC West two years ago. While they were competitive in almost every league game last season, something would usually transpire late in … Read more
Since starting the Utica hockey team six years ago, coach Gary Heenan has built his team around a tough, hard-nosed defensive style of play that has earned the Pioneers a regular season title and two trips to the league playoffs. But with the changing of emphasis in the NCAA rules comes a change in philosophy … Read more
Last season certainly ended with a bang for the ECAC West. After years of only being able to send one team to the NCAA playoffs, a rules change and expansion of the playoffs enabled the ECAC West to qualify three teams last spring, with two making it all the way to the semifinal round. Elmira, … Read more
With nine seniors having graduated from last year’s team, Hobart will be looking to fill gaps in both goal scoring and leadership heading into this season. Those nine seniors accounted for 47 of the Statesmen’s 117 goals last season and also were instrumental in vaulting the Hobart squad from doormat to national contender over the … Read more
After a stunning double overtime loss to Elmira in the league championship game last March, this year appears to be one of rebuilding for Manhattanville. In addition to the heartbreaker of a finish, the Valiants also lost a total of thirteen players from last year’s team. “We have a lot of new guys here,” said … Read more
From doormat to playoff contender: that is how far Neumann has come in the past two seasons. The Knights enjoyed their most success ever last year, finally having a winning season and being right in the playoff hunt down the stretch. But Neumann came up short, missing the playoffs by a scant three points, and … Read more
Teams win championships in hockey. Hobart proved it three years ago when the Statesmen swept to the ECAC championship in thrilling style. Last year, Elmira used the same formula to turn what looked like a rebuilding year into a league title and a run to the NCAA semifinals. “Last year was kind of special,” said … Read more
The postseason turned out to be a wild time for the ECAC West. Late game heroics, stellar goaltending and great coaching led to the most intriguing and successful postseason ever for the league. In the seven playoff contests played by ECAC West teams, only two were decided by more than one goal and two other … Read more
This year’s championship was the first Division III men’s ice hockey championship game ever televised to a national audience. Having a TV audience had several effects on the game — both large and small — over the course of the afternoon. Pre-game interviews with each of the head coaches were recorded about two hours before … Read more
On frozen ponds all across the northern parts of the continent, young hockey players dream of scoring the game-winning goal in a critical playoff game. They hear the crowds cheering, see the puck tickling the twine in the back of the net, and imagine their teammates mobbing them in celebration. Elmira junior Justin Joy has … Read more
Elmira, N.Y. is a historic town, having been established in 1792. Driving through the quaint town in the Southern Tier region of New York a traveler notices building after building that are more than a hundred years old. Nestled in between one such building and the flowing Chemung River is the five year old First … Read more
Wild swings of momentum were the hallmark of the opening NCAA Semifinal game between the St. Norbert Green Knights and the Hobart Statesmen this afternoon at the First Arena. The teams exchanged the lead three times during the contest before First Team All-American Connor Hughes finally scored the winning goal at 9:27 of overtime to … Read more
In previous seasons, the week between the NCAA Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds can best be characterized as a mad scramble by the school chosen to host the final two rounds of the playoffs. Historically, the right to host the Division III men’s ice hockey championship weekend has been awarded to one of the four remaining … Read more
The Rematch Lack of familiarity with their opponent is not one of the excuses that either Elmira or Manhattanville will be able to use following this Saturday’s NCAA Quarterfinal game at Manhattanville’s Playland Arena. These two ECAC West foes met three times during the regular season with the Valiants holding a slim 2-1 advantage. “It … Read more
The Promised Land After 45 league contests, four teams have reached the promised land of the ECAC West playoffs this weekend. Manhattanville clinched the regular season title last Friday and will host the extravaganza. But not only will the Valiants play host to the men’s tournament, they are also hosting the women’s ECAC East playoffs … Read more
On senior Night at RIT’s Ritter Arena, the Tigers finished their first Division I season by hosting the U.S. Under-18 team. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Team USA proved to be difficult guests, jumping on top just a minute into the contest when Bill Sweatt scored. RIT tied the game midway through the second period, but … Read more
When RIT and the USA Under-18 team met a month ago for a pair of games in Ann Arbor, Mich., the teams played with plenty of fireworks. The teams combined for a total of 28 goals as they split the two games. Tonight, the goaltenders and defenses decided to show that they could also play … Read more
Thrilla in Manhattanvilla It may not have been Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, but those who walked into Playland Ice Casino last Saturday saw more fighting than hockey. Friday’s game actually set the stage for the donnybrook that occurred late in the second period Saturday evening. Manhattanville built a 4-1 lead on Neumann by midway … Read more
Breaking Records Hobart is the hottest team in the ECAC West at the moment, riding a four-game winning streak into second place as other teams continue to knock each other off. The Statesmen snuck out two tough one-goal wins against Utica at The Cooler this past weekend, setting several school records in the progress. On … Read more
The RIT Tigers and the Air Force Falcons had met three times this season already, splitting the games 1-1-1. So it should be no surprise that Monday’s game came down to the wire as well. Air Force built a 2-0 lead by early in the third period, before RIT stormed back with a pair of … Read more